Urdu-Our National Language
Urdu is a word derived from Turkish language, meaning “Army”. This language was formed through the interaction of people from different areas who joined army during the Mughal dynasty. It was known by different names in different ages. Initially, it was named as Hindwi, Hinda and Hindi. Before the fall of the Mughals, it was called “Reekhta”. Later on, it got the name of “Urdu-e- Mualla” and finally only “Urdu”. Ameer Khusro, Qulli Qutub Shah and Wali Dakni may be called pioneer poets of it. In the early 19th century, before the British rule, Urdu flourished rapidly. The eminent poets of that era are Mir Taqi Mir, Asadullah Khan Ghalib, Khwaja Mir Dard, Khwaja Haider Ali Atish, etc. When Sir Syed Ahmad Khan established Aligarh College, this language got new dimensions. Among Sir Syed’s colleagues who promoted this language, Maulana Altaf Hussain Hali, Baba-e-Urdu Maulvi Abdual Haq, Maulana Shibli Noamani, and Deputy Nazir Ahmed are eminent. During the British rule, the Hindus started conspiring against the popularity of Urdu, but the Muslim leaders countered them wisely. Much of Allama Iqbal’s poetry is in Urdu. In Pakistan, different genres of writing, such as ghazal, novel, drama, short story, and criticism, have been developed further in Urdu. The renowned Urdu writers of the recent past include Imtiaz Ali Taj, N.M. Rashid, Meera Jee, Ata Shad, Hafeez Jalandhri, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Habib Jalib, Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi, Ahmed Faraz, Munir Niazi and Naseem Hijazi.
II. Regional Languages
I Balochi
It is the language of Baloch tribes. Apart from Pakistan, its people are found in south-east of Iran, Afghanistan (Nimroz Province), Turkmenistan, Kurdistan, and the Gulf states. Experts suggest that it is associated back to the Iranian languages of Aryan times. There are three major dialects of Balochi language:
a. Eastern or Sulaimani Dialect
It is spoken in Jaccobabad, Kashmor, D.G.Khan, Rajanpur, Marri, Bugti, Sibi and Naseerabad etc.
b. Rakhshani Dialect
It is spoken in Kalat, Nushki, and Kharan, etc.
c. Western Dialect
It is spoken in Makran Division, Karachi, and Iranian Balochistan. This dialect exhibits the influence of the Persian language.
The history of Balochi language and literature mostly comprises poetry, which transmitted generation to generation the history of Baloch tribes, the tales of the bravery of their forefathers in wars, and others. The tales of Hani-Sheh Murid, Mir Beuragh, Granaz, Shahdad, Mahnaz, etc. are the best historical and literary heritage in Balochi language. Eminent Balochi poets in the classical period include Mir Chakar Khan Rind, Sheh Murid, Mir Beuragh, Mir Shahdad Rind, Mir Jamal Rind, and Shah Mubarik.
After the creation of Pakistan, Balochi language and literature started flourishing. A standard script was devised for it by making slight modifications in Urdu alphabets. In 1951, Balochi Deewan was composed. The monthly journals “Oman” and “Olas”, and the weekly “Deer” started to publish in this language. In 1959, Balochi Academy was established, which has published many classical books in Balochi language. The Balochi Department of Balochistan University is playing important role in conducting research in Balochi language.
The eminent Balochi writers in recent times include Mir Gul Khan Naseer, Azad Jamaldini, Atta Shad, Syed Zahoor Shah Hashmi, Munir Ahmad Badini, Hakim Baloch, Dr. Niamat Gichki, Mubarak Qazi, Akbar Barakzai, Abdullah Jan Jamaldini, Dr. Shah Muhammad Marri and Allah Bakhsh Buzdar, etc. These writers have helped a lot in promoting Balochi language and literature.
ii. Pashto
Pashto is one of the other ancient Indo-Arian languages. Its ancient origin can be judged from the fact that it has been discussed in Vedas and Maha Bharat, which are ancient books of Hindu religion. Some scholars believe that it was born in the “Bakht or Baakht”, area of Afghanistan. On that account, its speakers were called as “Bakhtoon” which later changed to Pakhtoon or Pashtoon. In Pakistan, Pashto speakers are found in western northern parts of the country, such as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province and northern parts of Balochistan Province.
a. Dialects
Due to its association with the Indo-Arian languages, Pashto has two major dialects: eastern dialect and western dialect. Accordingly, the Pashto speakers have two groups. One group utters the letter ” in its typical sound. The other group speaks it in sounds like or. On these bases, those who speak are called the Pashtoons speaking Khattak dialect, while those who speak, and ¿are called the Pashtoons speaking Yousafzai dialect. The line of this division runs from Attok to Afghanistan. According to Sir Olaf Caroe, Pashtoons of the northeastern tribes speak Pakhto, and those of southwestern tribes speak Pashto. The former dialect is used in Dir, Swat, Bunair, and Bajorh, while the later is used by Khattak and Durrani tribes, and the tribes of Waziristan, Bannu, Derajat, Zhob, northern Balochistan etc.
Due to certain reasons, Pashto has many dialects, however, two are very common: the soft western dialect, and the tough eastern dialect. The difference between these is based on the use of certain letters and sounds. The Kandahari dialect is the most moderate of all. It has existed in its original form since long ago.
Literature
Although, Pashto is an ancient language, the literary work in it started much later. Like other well formed languages, Pashto literature also started with poetry. The first book of Pashto “Pata Khazana” was written in 8th century A.D. Ameer Karor is regarded as the first Pashto poet.
In the first few decades of 19th century, Qaseeda and Marsiya were adopted as genres of Pashto literature. The book “Tazkira-e-Aulia”, written in 1200 A.D (Anno Domini), reveals that the Pashto poets at that time had produced literature in the form of Hamd and Naat as well. During the reign of Mahmood Ghaznavi, a man named Saifullah, formally devised Pashto alphabets which are in use till today.
The eminent themes in Pashto poetry are freedom, honor consciousness war, etc. Mysticism has also been discussed. A poet, named Mulla Mast, is regarded as the pioneer of this style. Khushal Khan Khattak (1613-1691) is a great poet of Pashto language. He has made many walks of life the themes of his poetry, like love for divine beings, love for humanity, war, a gathering of friends, mysticism, moral values, freedom, bravery, etc. The other great poet of Pashto is Rahman Baba, who is held in high esteem in Pashtoon society. Mysticism has been the main theme of his poetry. Folk song is a matchless heritage in Pashto literature. It has several genres but Charbaita and Tapa are well known.
The prose-form literature in Pashto started growing in the 20th century. After the creation of Pakistan, modern educated writers, holding new ideas and wisdom, have contributed a lot to the Pashto dictionary, grammar, biography, novels, and drama. In Balochistan, eminent Pashto writers include Abid Shah Abid, Saeed Gohar, Ubaidullah Darwesh, Farooq Sarwar, Umar Gul Askar, Dr. Liaqat Taban, Abdul Karim Baryalay, etc. In 1954, the Pashto Academy was established in Peshawar to promote this language. A similar academy has been established in Quetta. Apart from these, the Department of Pashto at the University of Balochistan has been engaged in teaching and research in Pashto language.
iii. Brahui
Brahui is an ancient language. Many linguists associate it with Dravidian languages. According to some scholars, Brahui associates back to Indo-European or Indo-Aryan languages. The majority of Brahui speakers live in Bolan, Sarawan, Jhalawan, and Makran areas of Balochistan. It is also spoken in a few areas of Sindh Province.
Brahui is usually written in the percio-arabic script and has four major dialects Sarawani, Jhalawani, Noshkai, and Sindhi. Although it is an ancient language, its literary work had been nominal till the 17th century A.D. The reason may be the nomadic movements of its people. But still folk literature does exist in this language wherein “Laili Moor” is a well-known story. In the 18th century, Malik Dad composed “Tuhfa-tul-Ajaib” known to be the first authentic Brahui book. Next to him, Maulana Nabbo Jan and Maulana Muhammad Umar Deenpoori added a lot to its literature. The Holy Quran and many other religious books have been translated in this language. Newspapers and journals are also being published.
The eminent Brahui writers include Dr. Abd-ur-Rahman Brahui, Noor Muhammad Parwana, Nadir Qambrani, Peer Muhammad Zuberani, Abd-ur- Rahman Kurd, Adil Qalandarani, Waheed Zaheer, Afzal Murad and Tahira Ihsas Jatak etc. Brahui Academy, Quetta, and Brahui Department, University of Balochistan, are rendering valuable services for the promotion of this language.
iv. Sindhi
The Sindhi language is mainly derived from Turkish, Dravidian, and Sanskrit. languages. Lari, Kathyawarhi, Jogali, and Kachhi are its famous dialects but the standard one is “Sahtee”. Sindhi literature comprises fables, gunan, bait, sorthay. gatha and dohray etc. A lot of work was done in this language during 11″ to 13″ centuries. Remarkable books were written on Islamic jurisprudence and mysticism during that time. In the popularity of this language, the contribution of the mystic poets is commendable. These poets include Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai, Hazrat Sachal Sarmast, and Shah Inayat Shaheed. Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai based his poetry on folklore. “Shah Jo Resalo” is the name of the collection of his literary work.
V. Punjabi
This language has associations with ancient Dravidian languages. It has six dialects, namely Majhi, Multani, Potohari, Chachhi, Dhani and Shahpoori. The most popular among them is Majhi, which is spoken in northern Punjab. This belt includes Lahore and its suburbs, Punjabi got real impetus at times when Muslim saints made it the medium of their poetry. The great Punjabi poets include Baba Farid Ganj-o-shakar, Shah Hussain, Sultan Bahu, Bhullay Shah, Waris Shah, Khwaja Ghulam Farid, and Hazrat Mian Muhammad Bakhsh. Their poetry has delivered feelings of love for humanity and divine beings Remarkable Punjabi poetic genres are Dhola, Mahiya, Lori, Bolyan, Kafi, and Dohe
The modem Punjabi literature contains modern poetry, drama, novels, criticism, and ghazal. Munir Niazi, Ahmad Rahi, and Sharif Kunjah are well-regarded Punjabi poets of recent era.
vi. Seraiki
It is one of Pakistan’s ancient languages and is considered among the Indo-Aryan family of languages. Seraiki has been variously called as Lehnda. Uchi, Derawali, but now the name “Seraiki” has become well accepted. It is spoken in central Pakistan on either sides of River Indus. Its largest speaking region is southern Punjab, including the districts of Mianwali, Bhakkar, Layyah, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Multan, Khanewal, Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur etc. Besides Punjab, it is spoken more or less in the rest of the provinces. For instance, Kashmor, Jacobabad, and Sukkar Districts of Sindh; Barkhan, Naseerabad, and Jhal Magsi Districts of Balochistan: Dera Ismail Khan and Tank Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are the areas where Seraiki speaking people are inhabited. Hazrat Sachchal Sarmast and Hazrat Ghulam Farid are amongst the eminent seraiki poets. In the modern days, novels, short stories, and dramas are being written in this language showing its development.
vii. Other Languages
Apart from the languages discussed above, approximately 75 other languages also exist in different parts of Pakistan. Amongst them, Hindko and Kashmiri are more common. Hindko is spoken in the Abbottabad. Mansehra, Haripur, Peshawar, and Kohat Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and in the Attok District of Punjab, Kashmiri is mainly spoken in Azad Kashmir, but its users do live in many parts of Pakistan. Researchers link this language to the languages of the Indus Valley. Due to persistent turmoil in the Jammu and Kashmir region for several decades, epic nature dominates over romanticism in Kashmiri literature. Shina, Boroshaski, Khwar, Balti, Dari, Hazargi, Potohari, Lasi, and Makrani are also minor languages of the country.
